Kyrgyzstan Experiential Travel Guide: 27 Experiences to Get You Started

When readers ask, “If I travel to Kyrgyzstan, what should I do? Where should I go? What kind of experiences will I have?” We wonder how we’ll keep it short.

Because the country is still relatively undiscovered and serves so many different styles of travel, the answer is: it really depends on what you’re after. There's much more to do and experience in Kyrgyzstan than you might first have imagined.Exploring alpine lakes and glaciers in the Alay Mountains.
Mountain landscapes and trekking? Check. Cultural and culinary experiences? Check. Living nomadic culture and yurts? Check. Urban adventures and wellness retreats? Got that, too.

How to use this guide: To help (us and you), we created this experiential travel guide to Kyrgyzstan. We assembled it from seven different trips there over the last eleven years. For any particular entry, perhaps the activity grabs your attention, you just like the image, or maybe both. Our intent is to offer some diverse inspiration on things to do in Kyrgyzstan and practical advice to round out your Kyrgyzstan itinerary, to help you add a new destination or experience to it. Or, perhaps to give you the building blocks to create your own trip to Kyrgyzstan from scratch.

Note: In full disclosure, we worked with several of the destinations and community organizations (DMOs) mentioned below to help them develop many of these new culinary and cultural tours and experiences. This was part of our consulting work on the USAID Business Growth Initiative (BGI) tourism development project aimed at promoting regional and local tourism initiatives to keep tourism money local and benefit the communities. So, we think these local tours and connections are pretty cool…and we hope you do, too!

27 Things to Do, See and Eat in Kyrgyzstan

1. Get Amongst It and Trek the Tian Shan or Pamir-Alay Mountains

With over 90% of Kyrgyzstan covered in mountains, it’s impossible to escape them. Good thing, because those mountains are among the country’s biggest draw. Deservedly so.

Tucked into those mountains are experiences for adventure travelers and trekkers, as well as those who just want to temporarily disconnect from their daily concerns and reconnect with nature and themselves.

Enjoying an alpine lake to ourselves while trekking in the Tian Shan Mountains (Jyrgalan Valley)

The mountains also serve as a fitting backdrop for Kyrgyz nomadic culture and living history. This means that during your treks you'll also encounter local shepherds and their families up on the jailoo (high pastures) with their animals. Kyrgyz people and nomadic culture are hospitable (see #9), so don't be surprised if you are invited in for tea or a snack.

Starting out on the Heights of Alay Trek by following the shepherd trails through the valley.

The two main mountain ranges in Kyrgyzstan include the Tian Shan Mountains that cover most of Kyrgyzstan and continue into Kazakhstan and China in the east and the Pamir-Alay Mountains that go into Tajikistan and China in the southern part of the country. These are serious mountain ranges with several peaks each over 7,000 meters (23,000 feet), but they both have many trekking options and routes for every difficulty level and desired length of trek (e.g., day hikes to multi-day treks).

New Trekking Routes and Maps: During the summer of 2017, 52 new trekking routes (over 2,500km) were marked and mapped throughout Kyrgyzstan with special focus placed on Issyk-Kul Region, Naryn and the Alay Valley. This opens up even more trekking routes for independent trekkers, or for groups who want to go a little off-the-beaten-path. Maps are available for purchase throughout the country at local DMOs (Destination Management Organizations) or CBT (Community Based Tourism) offices. Many of the digital files (GPX tracks) for these routes can be found on Viewranger, Wikiloc, and AllTrails.

2. Go Back in Time with the Golden Eagles of Salbuurun

Spend time with members of the Kyrgyz Salbuurun Federation and understand the rudiments and reasons for Kyrgyz nomadic traditions of hunting with golden eagles, falcons and taigan hunting dogs. This image only begins to tell a real-life story and history that looks and feels like a Central Asian version of Game of Thrones.

Almas Akunov, founder of the Salbuurun Federation, with his golden eagle.

How to do it: Some local guest houses and yurt camps along the South Shore or Lake Issyk-Kul can organize a Salbuurun demonstration for you on their own premises. However, we suggest joining Destination South Shore's Salbuurun tour (one hour) that works directly with the Salbuurun Federation in Bokonbaevo. You'll have a chance to see demonstrations on how hunters work together as a team with their golden eagles, taigan dogs and horses, including sample hunts (don't worry, stuffed animals are used) and archery on horseback. First you’ll witness, and then maybe try for yourself. .

3. Horse Trek to Song Kul or Köl Suu Lake and Hang with the Shepherds

Even if you’ve never ridden a horse – or as in our case, just because you’ve never ridden a horse – this experience is an absolute must.

Audrey coaxes her horse over the mountain pass en route to Song Kul Lake.

After realizing that horses are the choice work animal and often the transport of choice across the countryside, take one with a guide and head into the hills on a journey to the mountain lake of Song Kul (3,016 meters / 9,895 feet) or Köl Suu (3,514 meters/ 11,530 feet) in Naryn Region.

Overnight, you stay in a shepherd family’s yurt, then finish off at the lake for another overnight stay. The setting: photogenic, iconic and visually stunning. Kyrgyz landscape and culture collide in what remains one of the most memorable experiences of our early travels.

Overnighting with the shepherds in a yurt along the shores of Song-Kul Lake.

Note: We've heard over the years that Song Kul Lake has become more crowded with its increased popularity, so if you want a more off-the-beaten-path experience consider choosing Köl Suu lake. It's also in the Naryn region, but a little more remote and close to the border with China. We have not been ourselves, but we've heard from friends with a lot of experience in Kyrgyzstan that the experience there and lake make it worth the extra effort to get there.

Alpine lake of Köl Suu near the border with China. Photo courtesy of Stephen Lioy.

4. Get Lost in the Lanes of the Osh Bazaar

Travel to Osh and you'll find a large ethnically complex city in southern Kyrgyzstan. It's grown on us each time we've visited. With Uzbek and Kyrgyz populations, and a few Tajiks thrown in for good measure, Osh is a sort of Central Asian mixing bowl of cultures, food and people.

Made you smile, Jayma Bazaar in Osh

There’s no better place to experience this than at the Osh Jayma Bazaar, the oldest in the region at over 2,000 years old. It's living history underscores its (and the city's) importance as a Silk Road trading center. The fresh market and goods bazaar seem to take over much of the city and is one of its most defining features. Enjoy getting lost in the lanes filled with spices, dried fruits and nuts, fresh produce, dairy products, and more. Here's a handy map of Jayma Bazaar if you'd like some help navigating.

Other markets worth visiting in Kyrgyzstan: Most towns and cities will have their own fresh market. These are fun places to wander around, possibly sample a few treats, ask a few questions (if you have some basic Russian) and just get a feel for the local cuisine and people.

Karakol has a small bazaar (Bugu Bazaar) in the center of town which is a manageable size, but still has a good selection of fresh fruits and vegetables, bread, dried fruits and nuts (our favorite are the fried fava beans), mountain honey, and more. Further afield is Karakol's Big Bazaar with many more stands; it's also easy to get lost the in its small lanes and alleys. Bishkek has several massive markets with Osh Bazaar as the most interesting for travelers. It's also worth popping into Naryn's central market to sample local honey, yogurt drinks and korut (dried yogurt snacks).

5. Drink a Tall Glass of Fermented Mare’s Milk (Kymyz)

Kymyz, or fermented mare’s milk, is a traditional and beloved Kyrgyz drink. It is worth noting that for foreigners who have not grown up drinking it, kymyz can be an acquired taste. What’s it like? Fizzy milk, with a bit of tang. Some compare it a bit to kefir. Be careful to drink small quantities your first time out so your stomach can become accustomed to the fermentation.

Fresh kymyz on the streets of Kochkor.

The first time we tried kymyz in Kyrgyzstan, it was from a roadside stand in the town of Kochkor. The woman running the stand almost didn't sell it to me for fear that it would make me sick before my horse trek. I convinced her that my stomach was already full of bacteria and I would be OK. It was probably the best kymyzI’ve ever tried.

If you really dig kymyz, you’re in luck. There are even spa-like health and wellness experiences that involve digestive kymyz treatments for five to ten days which apparently cure all that ails you. If you try it, let us know how it goes.

6. Get the Best Sleep of Your Life in a Yurt

For so many reasons, sleeping in a Kyrgyz yurt at least once in one’s life is a must-do. As the sun goes down and a chill descends, the warmth of a yurt is a welcome feeling. At night, enjoy the moonlight streaming through the tunduk, the latticed circular opening at the yurt’s apex. Take a few warm, heavy blankets (there are usually plenty of them in just about every yurt you’ll find yourself), have your host cover the tunduk and enjoy a long, comfy slumber in complete darkness.

7. Release Your Inner Child in the Fairy Tale Canyons (Skazka Canyon)

Light adventure at its best. Drive up, talk a 20 minute walk, then do a 360 turn and be amazed by the landscape variety around you along Lake Issyk-Kul’s South Shore.

Late afternoon light turns Skazka into a deeper shade of red.

How to do it:Easiest way to get to Skazka is as a day trip from Bokonbaevo by hiring a driver to take you there, wait, and bring you back (around 1,500 som/$22). Alternatively, you can take a marshrutka towards Karakol from Bokonbaevo and ask to be dropped off on the main road at the turnoff sign for. It's about a 15-minute walk to the entrance. The entrance fee is 50 som.

8. Watch a Kok-Boru (Goat Carcass Polo) Match

Kok-boru, goat carcass polo, is one of Kyrgyzstan’s national and most beloved sports. After watching several matches at the World Nomad Games, we understand why: it is fast-paced and intense.

Never a dull moment in a kok-boru match.

During the warmer months, most villages assemble pick-up kok-boru teams, so it is possible to catch an impromptu match if you ask around. In addition, many summer festivals (e.g., in South Shore of Lake Issyk-Kul or Jyrgalan) feature kok-boru games as part of the festivities.

We’ve also been told that almost all national holidays are celebrated with kok-boru. If you happen to be in Kyrgyzstan during that time keep your eye out for the kok-boru matches that take over stadiums across the country.

Kyrgyz people like to engage. They like to ask questions. They like to invite travelers to join them. They are hospitable. If a Kyrgyz person offers you lunch, a drink, or an opportunity to hang out, it's most likely genuine. Say yes to the invitation.

Kyrgyz family who adopted us for lunch at the World Nomad Games.A grandmother and her grandkids invite us into their yurt for tea, bread and kaimak (local sour cream) in the Alay Mountains.

10. Sample Samsas in Osh

With its mixture of Uzbek and Kyrgyz cultures, Osh is famous for its giant somsas (chon samsa), stuffed pastries (usually with mutton and onions) baked on the side of a tandoor-like oven called a tandir. You can smell them baking a block away. Get them while they are hot before the fat inside has a chance to cool.Giant Osh samsas fresh from the oven in Osh, Kyrgyzstan.

And don’t worry if bread products aren’t your thing. There are also plenty of steamed manti, stuffed dumplings, hanging around Osh as well. In fact, vegetarians can rejoice as the local dumpling specialties of maida manti and gök chuchvara are both meat-free.

Maida manti (potato-stuffed dumplings), a specialty of Osh.

Note: If you want to try both samsa and maida manti, sign up for the Osh foodie tour as you'll have a chance to sample these Osh specialties as well as a few others in just a few hours. A vegetarian version of this tour is also possible.

11. Admire Kyrgyz Men in Kalpaks

The kalpak is a black and white, uniquely-shaped, traditional Kyrgyz men’s hat. It is one of the distinct symbols of Kyrgyzstan. I once had a conversation for an hour in broken Russian about how the kalpak is the most perfectly designed hat because it stabilizes temperature all year round – warm in the summer, cool in the winter.

An impromptu Kyrgyz kalpak model, Pamir Mountains.

Now, I’m not so sure about where the kalpak falls in the scale of perfectly designed headwear around the world, but a group of older men hanging out in their kalpaks makes for quintessential Kyrgyz tableau. If you happen to be in the country for any sort of festival or holiday, you'll surely encounter a sea of kalpaks.

When we explained who we were and why we were encountering him in what seemed like the middle of nowhere, he told tells us that we should continue to wander, learn and explore while we are young.

Don't forget the young shepherds in training, too.

13. Attend the Olympics of Nomadic Sports (aka, the World Nomad Games)

The World Nomad Games take place every two years (on even years), usually in early to mid September. The next games are 2-8 September, 2018 in Cholpon-Ata (north shore of Lake Issyk-Kul) and several other locations.

Wrestling on horseback, goat carcass polo (kok-boru), hunting with golden eagles, archery on horseback, and stick wrestling are just a few of the events featuring nomad competitors from around the world.

If high-intensity physical sports involving horses or men trying pin each other to the ground aren’t for you, there’s a whole other cultural segment of the World Nomad Games focused on Kyrgyz and nomadic cultures, crafts and games.

How to do it:Read our World Nomad Games Beginner’s Guide with details on how to organize a trip to see the World Nomad Games and what sports and experiences to expect there.

Festivals in Kyrgyzstan: Kyrgyz people love festivals, events and celebrations. And they love sharing their nomadic traditions, costumes, handicrafts and more. You can quickly feel the strong sense of pride and strength. It's worth trying to fit your itinerary around a Kyrgyz festival or event. Here is an event calendar for all of Kyrgyzstan.

14. Eat “Five Fingers” (Beshbarmak)

This traditional Kyrgyz dish, known as “5 fingers,” is made from homemade noodles cooked in a broth and turned with pieces of meat (usually mutton). There are some small regional differences in this dish across the country (for example, in Naryn it’s chock-full of meat), but this nomadic dish is one that all Kyrgyz can get behind.

Where to find beshbarmak: Many Kyrgyz restaurants serve beshbarmak, but the best way to sample it is when it is cooked fresh for you – either up in the jailoo (high pastures) or with a cooking class. We did the Beshbarmak Cooking Class in Naryn and some yurt camps also offer cooking classes upon request.

15. Soak Your Aching Muscles in a Natural Alpine Hot Spring

Among the more enjoyable combinations in an alpine destination: mountain trekking and restorative hot springs. Near the town of Karakol, you can find a couple of options, including the mountain trek of Altyn Arashan, which includes a night in a yurt or simple hostel paired with soaking in a hot spring pool.

Altyn Arashan, what a setting to relax your muscles in natural hot springs.

Alternatively, after your hike, or just because, you can seek out Ak-Suu, another hot springs village close to Karakol. Relax, warm up and chill out at an outdoor hot spring pool with the mountains all around you. Either way, the sulfurous mineral waters are good for what ails your trekked-out or otherwise stressed-out muscles and bones.

16. Take a Dip in the 2nd Largest Alpine Lake in the World, Lake Issyk-Kul

Two choices here — along the northern shore where there are several spas and developed beach areas in and around the town of Cholpon-Ata or along the lake’s south shore where you’ll find plenty of shoreside clearings from which to take a walk or jump in.

Dan, still not convinced the water is warm enough to jump in.

Our vote is for the south shore (Tamga and Kaji-Say beaches are recommended) as it's less crowded and without the big resorts, but if you want a taste of the Soviet-meets-Kyrgyz spa experience then give the north shore a try as well.

Either way, you’ll have an incredible view of the Tian Shan Mountains to keep you company during your swim in waters purported to possess special healing powers.

17. Discover Dungan Culture and Cuisine in Karakol

Spend some time in Karakol and learn about the Dungan people and their presence in Kyrgyzstan. Originally from China, the Dungan people emigrated to Karakol in the 1880s and have preserved their cuisine, culture and traditions over time.

Particularly as you make your way around the Karakol Big and Little Bazaars, you’ll find Dungan vendors and influences everywhere. Karakol in particular and Kyrgyzstan in general owe a nod to the Dungan culture for its impact on the national and regional cuisines.

Dungan vendor at Karakol's small bazaar (Bugu Bazaar).

One of the best — and tastiest — ways to experience Dungan cuisine and hospitality is by joining the Dungan Village Visit and Family Dinner tour organized by Destination Karakol. You'll visit a Dungan village outside of town and learn about their history and culture through a brief walking tour, followed by the main event — a home-cooked Dungan feast with a minimum of eight dishes. Impressive and delicious.

Overwhelmed by Dungan hospitality at a family dinner in nearby village of Deishin.

You'll also have a chance to to learn how to make your own ashlan-fu, a famous Dungan cold soup in a vinegar broth made with noodles, potato starch, and various herbs and spices. It's delicious all the time. We also hear it's a particularly effective hangover cure. Dungan apple vinegar is always homemade; each family maintains a secret recipe.

Ashlan-fu, the must try culinary specialty of Karakol.

18. Blaze a New Trekking Trail in Jyrgalan Valley

Trekking in Kyrgyzstan’s Jyrgalan Valley is one of the new mountain experiences available outside of the town of Karakol (60 km). Not only is this a beautiful (and not very crowded) area to go trekking, but Jyrgalan village itself has an interesting story — from dying coal mining village to trekking and outdoor adventure center in just a few years.

Alpine lakes, the reward for a long climb up.

There are now a handful of day and multi-day treks (and horse treks, if that's your thing) that leave from Jyrgalan village itself. The trail that we took – the Boz-Uchuk Lakes Trek – winds 55km (33.5 miles) over three days through the Terskei Ala-Too Range of the Tian Shan Mountains of eastern Kyrgyzstan, over mountain passes, across river valleys and up to alpine lakes.

From one mountain pass to the next along the Jyrgalan Trek.

Local people have been trained as mountain guides and horse handlers and accommodation in the village is mostly through family guest houses and home stays. So, you know that your tourism money is staying local and contributing to local families.

19. Enjoy Yurt-Side Morning Tea

This photo, taken on the second morning along our horse trekking experience to Song-Kul Lake, captured the essence of the outdoor exhilaration meets nomadic culture that for us defines a travel experience in Kyrgyzstan. With a chill in the air, as we experienced this early autumn morning, a streaming cup of tea — the ubiquitous drink of choice in Kyrgyzstan — fit the early morning atmosphere of snow-dusted mountain peaks just perfectly.

A cup of tea to enjoy the first snow of the season at Song Kul Lake.

20. Bargain for Shaggy Sheep at the Karakol Animal Market

If you find yourself in the town of Karakol around the weekend, it’s worth nudging your schedule to coincide with a visit to the Karakol Sunday Animal Market. Trading starts early – sometimes as early as 3:00 AM – in an effort to land the best animal at the best price.

Taking bids on these shaggy sheep.

But don’t worry, you can arrive later in the morning and see what horse, sheep, goat and other livestock are fetching at today’s prices. Not only is the experience photogenic, but it offers a unique and lasting window into the eastern Kyrgyzstan region as cultural crossroads.

Animal market in Osh: If you're in southern Kyrgyzstan we also suggest visiting the Sunday animal market outside Osh. We found vendors and local people here to be really friendly, and it's fun to watch the local traditional bargaining techniques, complete with hand signals and drama.

21. Follow Horses in the Shadow of Peak Lenin

If mind-bending mountain peaks are what you seek, arrange transport from the town of Sary Tash in southern Kyrgyzstan to take you out to see some of the most breath-taking mountain scenery you’ll see outside of a trip further along the Pamir Highway. Lenin Peak (Pik Lenin) towers at 7,134 meters (23,405 feet).

One of the more stunning scenes we've been privileged to see. Horses in the shadow of Peak Lenin outside Sary Tash.

22. Feel Like You've Landed on Another Planet in the Alay Mountains

Whether you're going through southern Kyrgyzstan en route to Tajikistan (see #23 below) or China, or just visiting because it's a worthwhile destination in and of itself, set aside some time to go on a trek in the Alay Mountains (or Alay Valley), a sub-range of the Pamir-Alay Mountain system. You'll be rewarded with otherworldly views and just stunningly beauty mountain landscapes in this remote region.

How to organize a trek in the Alay Mountains:Read our comprehensive Trekking in the Alay Mountains, Kyrgyzstan: The Ultimate Guide for everything you need to know to choose a route, organize a trek, find a guide and gear, and what to expect on a day or multi-day trek. You can also see many of trekking options and tours available at Visit Alay, the trekking agency we went with for our trek.

23. Launch Your Pamir Highway Road Trip

Arguably one of the world’s greatest road trips, the Pamir Highway from Kyrgyzstan through the northern Tajikistan region of Badakhshan and the Wakhan Valley to the border of Afghanistan is an experience of a lifetime. If nothing else stirs you, the views of the “Roof of the World” Pamirs will. That, combined with the historical backdrop and blending of cultures makes one feel as if on the edge of the universe.

Pamir Highway road trip planning near Sary Tash.

The place to begin this journey is in Kyrgyzstan. A typical setting off point is the town of Osh or Sary Tash, with a driver who will help navigate the high desert mountain passes and the Kyrgyzstan-Tajikistan border in a rugged vehicle like an UAZ. If you are especially adventurous, begin your overland journey from Bishkek, crossing the mountain passes into Osh.

24. Marvel at Kyrgyz Nomadic Design and Understand the Symbolism of Kyrgyz Shyrdaks and Tush-kiyiz

The first time you walk inside a yurt, particularly a well-decorated colorful one, your inclination will be to look up and around, expanding your peripheral vision. It’s the nature of the geometry of a yurt that does this, as the shape and symbolism of the designs surround you. The primary decorative elements of Kyrgyz yurts – the colorful sheep’s wool felt carpets called shyrdaks and the thinner more finely embroidered design panels known as tush-kiyiz – will keep your eyes and minds engaged.

Community elders gather together inside their colorful yurt.

To learn more about Kyrgyz design and handicrafts consider visiting Golden Thimble or Almaluu Crafts Center in Bokonbaevo along the Southern Shore. You can take felt-making and handicraft classes there, as well as meet the women who make the beautiful handicrafts you see in the shops.

Buying a handmade Kyrgyz shyrdak (felt rug) from Golden Thimble, an NGO working with women in South Shore of Lake Issyk-Kul, Kyrgyzstan.

25. Relax on a Sunset Cruise on Lake Issyk-Kul

Relax at the end of the day or come down after a trek with a welcome drink in your hand, a handful of fried fava beans, and views of Lake Issyk-Kul and its surrounding snow-covered peaks as the sun goes down. This is the sunset cruise in Karakol. There are worse ways to end your day.

Lake and mountain views during the sunset cruise in Karakol. Photo courtesy of Stephen Lioy.

If you want a bit of adrenaline to shake things up, dive off the high deck of the boat and enjoy a swim in Lake Issyk-Kul.

26. Discover Remnants of Kyrgyzstan's Silk Road History

The Silk Road, the network of trading routes that stretched from China to Europe for over a thousand years (2nd century BC – 14th century) also went through Kyrgyzstan. In fact, Osh in southern Kyrgyzstan at the crossroads of China, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, was considered the half-way mark for some of the routes, making it an important Silk Road trading center.

A 12th-century Silk Road Mausoleum stands in Uzgen with the Pamir Mountains in the distance.

One of the best places to find Silk Road ruins and history is in the town of Uzgen, near to the city of Osh. You'll be able to enjoy the surviving minaret and mausoleum with views of the snow-covered Pamir Mountains in the distance.

Other Silk Road Sights in Kyrgyzstan: Burana Tower not far from Bishkek is another place where you can see (and climb) an 11th century minaret. Tash Rabat near Naryn is a caravanserai high in the mountains which sheltered and housed traders coming from China.

27. Find the Kids with the Wind-Burnt Cheeks in Sary Tash

If anything captures the high-mountain essence of Sary Tash, it’s the hue of the cheeks of the children who play in its streets. On the whole, you’ll find the children of Kyrgyzstan to be friendly and engaging, regardless of how much language you happen to share with them. The kids of Sary Tash are no different. And their appearance definitely echoes the idea that Kyrygzstan was and remains a crossroads between the various Turkic-Mongolian countries that neighbor it and the whole of East Asia.

No shortage of wind and smiles in Sary Tash, on the edge of Tajikistan and China.

Bonus: Find the Soviet Murals in Bishkek

Besides enjoying the taste of the big city, one of the finest experiences of Bishkek once included the walls and ceilings of the History Museum (originally referred to as the Lenin Museum). Incredible Soviet murals illustrated propaganda as art to its fullest. Whether it was the arms race and fear of nuclear war or the specter of the West, the feelings and fear are clear.

The fabulous murals that once covered the walls and ceilings of the History Museum in Bishkek.

We’ve been told that the murals have been removed, but not destroyed. Nobody we know knows where they are…yet. If you find them, let us know. Perhaps if enough travelers ask the History Museum to bring them back, they will?

Visas to Kyrgyzstan

Fortunately, Kyrgyzstan makes it easy when it comes to visas. Their visa-free regime applies to citizens of 60 countries and usually provides 30-60 days in-country. For other nationalities, there is an e-visa program so that you can take care of everything online before you arrive. Check the visa requirements for your nationality here.

How to Get to Kyrgyzstan

Depending upon where you're traveling from, it might be a bit of a journey to get to Kyrgyzstan. But, increased flight routes and eased border crossings means that it's getting easier and faster. It really isn't as far away as it may sound.

Flying to Kyrgyzstan:

Bishkek airport (FRU) is the main airport of the country with the most options for international flights. If you're coming from Europe or North America, usually the fastest (and cheapest) way is to fly Turkish Airlines through Istanbul to Bishkek. There are also other options through Dubai and Moscow. If you're coming from Asia or Australia, China Southern, Air India and FlyDubai offers a good selection of flights.

You can check your flight options and prices on Skyscanner as it also includes all low-cost airlines.

Overland travel to Kyrgyzstan:

Kyrgyzstan is nestled between Kazakhstan, China (Irkeshtam and Torugart passes), Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, meaning there are a lot of options to travel overland from neighboring countries. Usually, it's best to arrange transport — bus, shared taxi or private taxi — all the way to the nearest big city or town in Kyrgyzstan. But, it's also common that shared taxis or marshrutkas hang out on the Kyrgyz side of the border so you can walk across the border and catch public transport to the next town.

Accommodation in Kyrgyzstan

The options for accommodation of all types and budgets has increased tremendously over the last ten years, as has the ease and flexibility of being able to book online. In addition, any of the DMOs mentioned above (Karakol, Osh, Jyrgalan and South Shore) have accommodation listings on their websites and can assist you in booking a room for you. CBT Kyrgyzstan offices around the country can also help book you into their member accommodations.

The bigger cities (Bishkek, Karakol and Osh) will have more luxury hotel options, as well as basic hostels and guest houses. Once you get into smaller towns and villages, accommodation will mostly be family-run guest houses, yurt stays and homestays. These are usually simple affairs, but you'll have an opportunity to interact and engage with a local family and get a glimpse into their lives. And, as we mentioned above, yurt stays are a must-try at least once during your visit to Kyrgyzstan.

Special Booking.com Discount for our Readers

We use Booking.com often in our travels, especially the map view to find accommodation options in a particular region or city. And, it's also good for last-minute deals if you have flexibility in your schedule. Many hotels, guest houses and yurt camps in Kyrgyzstan have become listed on Booking.com in just the last year. This makes finding and reserving accommodation much easier as it avoids language issues and other possible confusion. So, we're excited to be able to offer our readers a special Booking.com discount to make it even easier to find your next room in Kyrgyzstan. Just use this link to get $30 off your next booking of $50 or more on Booking.com.

Karakol Accommodation: On our most recent visit to Karakol we stayed at Matsunoki Guest House, a Japanese-styled place that has very comfortable beds, an incredibly huge and delicious breakfast, soundproofing to keep it quiet, and a Japanese minimalist design. Highly recommended. We've also stayed at Hotel Tagatay a few times and it's a nice mid-range guest house with a super friendly owner that uses solar and other renewable energies for heating its hot water and electricity. For budget travelers there's a range of hostels in town, or if you want to experience sleeping in a yurt give Happy Yurt Camp a try just outside the town center (disclosure: we haven't stayed there ourselves, but know the owner.) Book a hotel in Karakol | Read reviews of Karakol hotels.

Jyrgalan accommodation: As this is a small village, family guesthouses make up the majority of accommodation here. And, that's actually a good thing as you know you're contributing to the income of local families and you have a more personalized experience. We've stayed at and can recommend Alakol-Jyrgalan Guesthouse, which is the biggest accommodation option in town with the most services. But, check out some of the smaller family guesthouses as well. Read reviews of Jyrgalan guesthouses.

Naryn accommodation: On our recent visits to Naryn we've stayed at and enjoyed Khan Tengri Hotel a bit outside the center of town. We were comfortable in rooms in the older or original building, but we have heard that rooms in the newer shipping container building tend to be rather loud and cold. For budget accommodation, there are a handful of family guesthouses around the city. Book a room in Naryn | Read reviews of Naryn hotels.

Disclosure: Our experiences in Kyrgyzstan are from a combination of a personal trip that we made years ago and more recent visits as consultants to the USAID – Business Growth Initiative (BGI) tourism development project where we advised on destination promotion, branding, DMO-development and product development. These latter trips were made possible by the support of the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The contents are the sole responsibility of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government. As always, the thoughts contained herein — the what, the why, and the how — are entirely our own.

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About Audrey Scott

Audrey Scott is a writer, storyteller, speaker and tourism development consultant. She aims to help turn people's fears into curiosity. She harbors an obsession for artichokes and can bake a devastating pan of brownies. You can keep up with her adventures on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. And you can learn more about her on the About Page and on LinkedIn.

Hi Dan and Audrey!
Thank you again for your wonderfully detailed and enthusiastic posts about “undiscovered” places that are off-the-beaten track. You have inspired many of our travels in recent years (Peaks of the Balkans was fantastic!), and, because of your blog, we are thinking about heading to Kyrgyzstan in the summer of 2019. I am sure that we will have many questions as we get into the specifics of organizing our trip, but I have one in particular that I wanted to ask you as we get started. We will be in Kyrgyzstan for approximately 5-6 weeks and primarily want to go trekking and enjoy natural places. Many of the articles and blogposts I am reading suggest contacting local CBT offices after we arrive in Kyrgyzstan. Do you advise this as well? Or do you think it is better to plan everything out with the CBTs prior to arriving in Kyrgyzstan?
Thank you in advance for any insights you can offer us!
Best,
Alison and Matt

Hi Alison,
Great to hear that you are planning a big trekking trip to Kyrgyzstan next summer! I would suggest perhaps a combination – arranging some things with CBT in advance and some things to organize on the ground. If there are specific multi-day treks that you definitely know you want to do then I would contact the local CBT or DMO office in advance to secure whatever support you need from them – guides, trekking/camping gear, accommodation, etc. I suggest this as in high season it can happen that they run out of local guides or trekking gear. However, for day hikes or smaller treks you can probably organize all of that on the ground. This would provide you with some flexibility in your schedule in case you want to move some things around. Have a great trip!

About Us

We are Daniel Noll and Audrey Scott, the husband-and-wife storytelling team behind Uncornered Market. From the United States, based in Berlin, world-bound. Through our stories, advisory, and speaking we are creating a movement of travelers who live at the intersection of adventure, deep travel and life experiences, and caring for our planet and its people. More than 90 countries later, we are still going...and still married. Read More

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